Automatic sprinkler-head.



J. R. HAMILTON. AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER HEAD. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 14, 1909.

' 1,108,362. Patented Aug. 25, 1914- 749 r2 1/ fl 1 \1? UNITE td'lCATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN R. HAMILTON, 0F YONKERS, NEVJ "IOB.K, ASSIGNOB '10 VENTURI ALARM 001 PANY, OF DOVER, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER-HEAD.

Specification of Letters Patent. I

Patented Aug. 25, 1914.

To all whom it may concern:

' Be it known that '1, JOHN R. HA m'roN, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Yonkers, Westchester county, New York, have made certain new and useful Invention's Relating to Automatic Sprinkler- Heads, of which thefollowing is a specificationytaken in connection with the accompan ing drawing '1 is invention relates to automatic sprinkler heads and relates especially to sprinkler heads having springy or resiliently yielding means holding the valve upon its seat to' close the head nozzle, such means preferably comprisin a thermal releasing retainer toallow the re easeof the cap and the operation of the head in the event of, fire.

1n the accompanying drawings showing in a somewhat diagrammatic manner illustrative embodiments of. this invention, Figure 1 is a vertical-section showing one modification. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section of the thermal releasing retainer; and Fig. 3 is a vertical section of another form of head.

In the illustrative embodiment of this in vention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the head 1 mayhave a suitable frame, preferably of a springy character and composed of resilient brass, bronze or other w re or strip secured to it in any desired way as by holding the ends of the framein suitable apertures in the head. The springy framemay, as indicated, be in the form of a flat strip 3 having its ends 25 upset or enlarged and firmly held in suitable apertures in the cars 27 of the head which may be swaged down upon or otherwise secured to the ends of the frame. The nozzle in the head may be of any desired shape and construction and formed with any desired valve seat with whiclrthe valve or cap? cotiperates so as to normally close the nozzle and'eflect its reliable opening under the water pressure within it in the event of fire. A ny-desired releasing retaining means may be used between the frame and valve to resiliently hold the valve closed under normal conditions and effect its emergency release. The retainer may, as indicated, comprise a suitable springy loop a ofv resilient bronze or other metal'strip provided with a suitable notch 24 cooperating with the valve or cap 2. A suitable strut 6 may be interposed between the loo and the frame and be formed with a suitab e recess 9 with which the upper or free end 38 of the loop engages, the

upper end of this strut being preferably out of line withthe recess and valve notch so as to exert an opening force in the direction of the arrow in Flg. 2 upon this strut which may be formed with a suitable link member 56. A suitable lever 5 may be interposed between the strut and the other end of the loop and may be provided with a cooperating link member joined to the ture.

link member of the strut by suitable fusible solder 47 so as to forma fusible link which is'released on the desired rise of tempera- Suitable alining means may be formed on these link members, such, for instance, as the heel 7 on the strut which cooperates'with a corresponding depression or groove 8 in the lever which may also be formed with a suitable socket 48 to be engaged by the end of the loop 4 and with a an alining lip 37 loosely engaging the loop end, these link members having something of a compound lever action andstarting to 1 swing open about the alining members. suitable adjustable stud may be mounted in the frame for engagement with the thermal retainer an'd'as indicated in Fig. 1, the stud .10 may-be formed with a suitable depression 23 to cooperate with the upper end of the strut and may engage a suitable bushing 26 mounted in an aperture in the loop and preferably provided with an upper extension 11 sufliciently thin to allow its compression upon the stud. This stud may at its upper portionbe formed with suitable screw threads or annular or other grooves or' depressions so as to be more securely locked or engaged by the threaded or otherwise shaped portions of the bushing coopcrating therewith and a suitable pin or locking device 13 may also be used to connect these parts. The usual deflector 14 may be mounted in any desired way up on the frame as by securing or forming it integral with the upper end 10 of the pin, so that its un der surface 3% will properly cooperate with the stream of water issuing from the head nozzle. F I

It is highly desirable-to assemble such an automatic sprinkler head-'so as to secure the proper yielding pressureiupon the valve under nomal conditions, and for this purpose a suitable setting device may be used comprising a support or setting frame 15 provided with hooks or arms 12 extending within the upper portion of the frame so that the setting pin 17 operating in a suitable guide 16 in this support engages the stud 10. When this pin is forced downward with respect to the support withthe standardpressure which ,it is des ii'ed'to have exerted on the valve, the stud is forced into such position with respect to'the frame that when maintained in that position the desired pressure is exerted upon the valve under working conditions. This may be effected by provid ing a suitable setting lever 20 pivoted by the pin 19in the bracket 18 on the support and having a heavy weight 21, which is of course much larger proportionately than indicated in the drawing, adjustably or otherwise mounted on the lever so that the head hangs from the arms 12 and the desired setting pressure is exerted by the Weight upon the stud 10 so as to force it into proper position with respect to the frame 3, putting the parts under corresponding stress. The stud may then be permanently secured in such adjusted position as by forcing the upper portion of the bushing 11 into firm and gripping engagement with the cooperating part of the stud by the action of suit-able dies or otherwise, and also ifdesired by inserting the pin 13 through these parts after drilling a suitable hole therein, if desired.

As indicated in Fig. 3, the spring frame 29 may have its ends 25 similarly connected to the head and may have a compound thermal retainer of any desired construction similar, for instance, to that described mounted between the valve 2 and the upper portion of the fame. This may be accomplished by first securing a sultable conical or other bearing pin 33 in the frame as by passing its reduced shank 31 through an aperture in the frame and then riveting the upper portion 32 over the deflector 30 so as to simultaneously secure this deflector and the bearing pin to the frame which is of such a resilient character as to give the desired yielding and holding action.- The strut 6 may in this instance be formed with a suitable depression 46 to be engaged bythe bearing pin and the parts may be conveniently assembled by springing the resilient frame 29 sul'lieiently to separate the bearing pin 33 and the valve 2 so as to allow the insertion of the desired thermal or other releasing retainer between these parts. This may be accomplished by forcing together the sides of the spring frame 29, for. instance, betweenthe yoke or support 35 and the compressing screw 36 mounted in one portion thereof, as indicated in Fig. 3.

Then after the retainer and cap have been properly adjusted the screw 36 may be released and the resilience of the spring frame holds the valve and cooperating parts firmly in position until released to allow the emergency operation of the head.

Having described this invention in connection with a number of illustrative embodiments, forms, proportions, materials, and methods of preparation, to the details of which disclosure the invention is not of course to be limited, what is claimed as new and what is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

1. The automatic sprinkler head comprising a valve seat, a valve cooperating with said seat, a closed spring frame composed of a resilient meta-l strip having enlarged ends embraced by the portions of said head adj acent said seat, a bushing mounted in said frame opposite said valve, a deflector mounted on said frame, a thermal releasing retainer mounted between said valve and said frame and comprising a spring loophaving a notch engaged by said valve, a strut having a recess engaged by the upper end of said loop andhaving an upper end out of line with said recess and said notch, a lever havin a socket cooperating with the free end of said loop and having a lip in loose cooperation therewith, there being cooperating link members on said strut and said lover and alining members adjacent said link members, fusible solder connecting said link members, a stud having a depres sion cooperating with the upper end of said strut and fitting adj ustably in said bushing to allow the preliminary adjustment of said head, gripping means on said stud and bushing to hold them in relative position when said resilient frame and retainer have been put under standard pressure normally holding said valve in closed position upon its seat, and locking means engaging said stud and bushing to positively hold them in adjusted position.

The automatic sprinkler head comprising a valve seat, a valve cooperating with said seat, a spring frame composed of resilient metal secured to the head adjacent said seat, a thermal releasing retainer mounted between said valve and said frame and comprising a spring loop having a bearing portion engaged by said valve, a strut having a recess engaged by the upper end of said loop and having an upper end out of line with said recess and said bearing portion to receive pressure from said frame, a lever having a socket cooperating with the free all leases end oil? said loop, there being cooperating link members on said strut and said lever and alining members adjacent said link members, fusible material connecting said link members, said resilient trame and retainer normally holding said valve in closed position upon its seat.

3. The automatic sprinkler head comprising a valve seat. a valve cooperating with said seat, a spring ti 'ame comprising resilient material secured tosaid head, a thermal releasing retainer mounted between said frame and said valve to normally hold said valve in closed positi n, Saidretainer'com prising a loop having a bearing portion, a strut having a recess engaged by the upper end of said loop and having an 11 per end out of line with said recess and sai bearing portion to receive pressure from said frame, a lever cooperating with the free end of said loop, there being cooperating link members on said strut and said lever and thermal releasing means connecting said link members.

4. The automatic sprinkler head comprising a valve seat, a valve cooperatingwith said seat, a spring frame substantially com posed of resilient wrought metal strip secured to said head, a thermal releasing retainer mounted between said frame and said valve to normally hold said valve in closed position, said retainer comprising a loop having a bearing portion, a strut having a nearing engaged by theupper end of said loop and having an upper end out of line with said bearing and said bearing portion, and a lever cooperating with the free end of .Said loop, there being cooperating thermally.

releasing link members on said strut and said lever. i i i 5. The automatic sprinkler head comprising a valve seat, a valve cooperating with said seat, a frame formed on said head, a

releasing retainer mounted between said frame and said valve to normally hold said valve in closed position, said retainer comprising a loop having a bearing portion to transmit pressure to said valve,'a strut having a bearing engaged by the upper end of said loop and having an upper end out of line with said bearing and said bearing per-Q tion, and a lever cooperating with the tree end of said loop, there being cooperating releasing members on said strut and lever.

6. The automatic sprinkler head comprising a valve seat, a valve cooperating with said seat, a ,t'rame formed on said head, a

thermal releasing retainer mounted between said frame and said valve to normally hold said valve in closed osition, said retainer comprising a spring 00p havi g a bearing portion to transmitpressure to lsaid valve, 21 strut having a bearing engaged'by the upper end of said loop and having an up er end out of line with said bearing and said hear ing portion to receive pressure from said frame tending to swir s the lower end ofsaid strut away from said loop, and a lever cooperating with the free end of said loop, there being cooperating thermally releasing members on said strut and said lever.

7. The automatic sprinkler headcomprising a valve seat, a Naive cooperating with said seat, a na e formed on said head, a thermal releasing retainer mounted between said, frame an d said" valve to normally hold said valve in closed position, said retainer comprising a spring loop having adbearing portion to transmit pressure to said valve, a strut having a hearin engaged by the upper end of said loop an having an upper end out of line with said bearing and said hearing portion to receive pressure from said frame, tending to swing the lower end of said strutaway from the opposite side of said loop, a lever having a socket loosely engaging the free end of said loop, there being cooperating link members on said strut and said lever and fusible solder normally connccting's'aid link members.

8. The automatic sprinkler head comprising a alvc seat, a valve cooperating with sa d seat, a frame formed on said head, a thermal releasing retainermounted between said frame and said valve to normally hold said valve in closed position, said retainer comprising a spring loop having a bearing portion to transmit pressure t sa-id valve,

a strut havin a recess engaged y the upper end of s aid 00p and having an 11 per end out line with said recess and sait bearing portion to receive pressure from said frame tending to swing the lower end of said strut away frcm saidloo'p, a' lever having aportion looselycotipe rating with the free end of said loop,v there being cooperating link members on said strut and said lever and fusible solder connectin said link members.

9; The automatic sprinkler head comprisin a valve seat, a valve cooperating With said seat, a frame mounted on'said head, a resilient thermal releasing retainer mounted between said valve and said frame and comprising a loop having a bearing portioirt'o transmit pressure to said valve,'a strut hav in a bea ring engaged by the upperend of in) i said loop and havmg an upper end out. of

line with said bearing and said bearing pur tion, a lever cooperating with the free end mounted between said frame and. said valve,

said retainer comprising a loop having a bearing portion to transmit pressure to said valve, a strut having'a bearing engaged by the end of said loop and having an end out of line with said bearing and said bearing portion to receive pressure from said frame, a lever coiiperating with the free end of said loop, there being coiiperating link members on said strut and said lever, and fusible material connecting said link members.

11. The automatic sprinkler'head comprising a valve seat, a valve cotiperating with said seat, a' spring frame formed on said head, and a thermal releasing retainer mounted between said frame and said valve to normally resiliently hold said valve in closed position.

12. The automatic sprinkler head comprising a valve seat, a valve coiiperating with said seat, a substantially closed spring frame formed on said head, and a thermally releasing retainer mounted between said frame and said valve to normally resiliently hold said valve in closed position.

13. The automatic sprinkler head c0mprising a valve seat, a valve coiiperating with said seat, a substantially closed spring frame formed on said head, a thermal releasing retainer mounted between said frame and said valve to normally resiliently hold said valve in closed position, and means to adjust the closing'pressure on said valve.

14. The automatic sprinkler head comprising a valve seat, a valve cooperating with said seat, a spring frame, formed on 531d head, a thermal releasing retainer mounted between said frame and said valve to normally resiliently hold said valve in closed position, and means to preliminarily adjust the closing pressure exerted upon said valve. i i

15. The automatic sprinkler head comprising a valve seat, a valve coiiperating with said seat. a substantially closed spring frame comprising resilient metal strip formed on said head, and a releasing retainer mounted between said frame and said valve to normally resiliently hold said valve in closed position.

16. The automatic sprinkler head comprising a valve seat, a valve coiiperating with said seat, a spring frame formed on said head and substantially composed of resilient metal strip, a thermal releasing retainer mounted between said frame and said valve to normally resiliently hold said valve in closed position and means to preliminarily adjust the closing pressure exerted upon said valve.

17. The automatic sprinkler head comprising a valve seat, a valve coeperating with said seat, a spring frame formed on said head, a thermal releasing retainer mounted between said frame and said valve to normally resiliently hold said valve in mosses closed position and means to adjust the closing pressure on said valve.

18. The automatic sprinkler head comprising avalveseat, avalve cooperating with said seat, a spring frame formed on said head and substantially composed of resilient metal strip and a thermal releasing retainer mounted between said frame and said valve to normally resiliently hold said valve in closed position.

19. The automatic sprinkler head comprising a valve seat, a valve cooperating with said seat, a spring frame formed on said head and substantially composed of resilient metalstrip, a thermal releasing retainer codperating with said valve to normally hold it resiliently in closed position and a stud coiiperating with said retainer and originally freelymovable with respect to said frame to transmit to said valve the testing pressure used in setting the head and means to lock said stud in position with respect to said frame when substantially the standard closing pressure is being exerted on said valve.

20. The automatic sprinkler head comprising a valve seat, a valve cooperating with said seat, a resilient frame formed on said head, a thermal releasing retainer coiiperating with said valve-to normally hold it resiliently in closed position and a holding member cooperating with said retainer and originally freely movable with respect to said frame to transmit to said valve the pressure used in setting the head and means to lock said holding member in position with respect to said frame when substantially the standard closing pressure is being exerted on said valve.

21. The automatic sprinkler head comprising a valve seat, a valve disengageably cotiperating with said seat, a frame formed on said head, a thermal releasing retainer cooperating with said valve to normally hold it in closed position and a holding member coiiperating with said retainer and originally freely movable with respect to said frame to transmit to said valve the pressure used in setting the head and means to secure said holding member in position with respect to said frame when substantially the standard closing pressure is being exerted on said valve.

22. The automatic sprinkler head com prising a valve seat, a valve disengageably cotiperating with said seat, a frame member formed on said head, a thermal releasing retainer member coijperating with said valve -to normally hold it in closed position, one

of said members being a spring member substantially formed of spring metal strip and a stud coiiperating with said retainer memher and originally freely movable with re spect to said frame member to transmit to id valve the premure used in setting the rioaaea head and means to lock said stud in position with respect to said frame member when sub stantially the standard closing pressure is be ing exerted on said valve.

23. The automatic sprinkler head comprising a valve seat, a valve disengageably cooperating with said seat, a frame member formed on said head, a releasing retainer member cooperating with said valve to normally hold it in closed position, one of said members being a resilient member and a holding device cooperating with said. retainer member and originally freely movable with respect to said frame member to transmit to said valve the pressure used in setting the head ap d means to secure said holding device in position with respect to said frame member when substantially the standard closing pressure is being exerted on said valve.

24. An automatic sprinkler having, in combination, a frame having a valve seat and an abutment connected together by re silient' arms, a valve, and a releasing device interposed between said valve and said abutment, grooved connections being employed between the releasing device and the valve and abutment, and the releasing device be ing held with yielding pressure against the valve by said resilient arms.

25. An automatic sprinkler having, in combination, .a sprinkler head having a valve seat and an abutment with resilient arms connecting the same, a valve on said valve seat, and a fusible strut between said valve and said abutment which is held with yielding pressure against the valve by said resilient arms.

26. An automatic sprinkler having, in combination, a sprinkler head having a valve seat and an abutment with resillent arms connecting the same, a valve 011 said valve seat, and a releasing device between said valve and said abutment which is held with yielding pressure against the'valve by said resilient arms.

JOHN R. HAMILTON.

"Witnesses HARRY L. DUNCAN, Jnssm B. KAY. 

